then we have massive spending, $8 trillion in debt that obama's running up the next decade. republicans have several tools. right now we have very well leverage in the debate over the fiscal cliff because that stuff happens automatically but the idea of a debt ceiling increase, they've told obama if you want a trillion dollars in higher debt and he needs that eight times in the next decade, you have to cut spending a trillion dollars. >> here, i'll ask you again. 0 i'm a republican congressman and i signed your tax pledge to not raise taxes. if someone says here's a bill that says if you sign this we will cut taxes for 98% of americans. how could you say no? my point is, the administration is winning the war of optics. if they played it out this way, do they not win? >> well, they've won the war of optics so far because everything's been done in camera. it's been done inside closed walls. if c-span and fox and -- were able to videotape the negotiations, the kind of thing we're learning now about how obama said i have no interesting in cutting spending, he's been lying for tw